Foley enters crowded GOP field for governor

Bill Cummings

Updated 11:38 pm, Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Republican Tom Foley applauds as he asks his wife Leslie to stand and be recognised during his announcement of his plans to run for governor at VFW Post 201 in Waterbury, Conn. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

Kathy Prentice, left, of Wallingford, hugs Republican Tom Foley before he announced his plans to run for governor at VFW Post 201 in Waterbury, Conn. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

Republican Tom Foley and wife Leslie are greeted by supporters before announcing his plans to run for governor at VFW Post 201 in Waterbury, Conn. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

Martin Spring, of Waterbury, holds a campaign sign at Republican Tom Foley's announcement of his plans to run for governor at VFW Post 201 in Waterbury, Conn. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

WATERBURY -- The decision Wednesday by Greenwich millionaire Tom Foley to jump into the race for governor puts state Republicans on a direct path toward a potentially divisive three-way primary between GOP heavyweights.

Using a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Waterbury as a blue-collar backdrop, Foley quickly went after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and ignored his potential primary challengers, promising to hold state spending flat and cut the state sales tax by one-half percent.

"Unlike Gov. Malloy, I spent most of my career in business and I know what it takes to create jobs and I know how to persuade business owners to give Connecticut another chance," Foley said.

But first, Foley must beat a crowded field for the GOP nomination that includes state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Foley's running mate in 2010. Veteran state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, is also exploring the possibility of entering the race.

Three years ago, Foley won a bruising primary battle against former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, only to narrowly lose the general election to Malloy, the former mayor of Stamford, in part because of a divided GOP.

Considering Malloy won by only 7,000 votes statewide, and was carried over the finish line by third-party support, the GOP is eager to challenge the sitting governor, party insiders say.

But those same people are worried about the uncertainty a primary brings and its drain on fundraising and organization. They are also reluctant to name a GOP frontrunner at this point.

"Democrats have a less than flattering record to run on," Labriola said, saying that's why so many GOP contenders are eager to paint Malloy as a "big tax, big spend" Democrat who gives "handouts to certain corporate citizens."

"We will be in great shape with any of these candidates," Labriola added.

"It's clear they are not for working families in this state. I think when people look at what the governor has done, there will be a clear choice between the Republican candidate and Gov. Malloy," DiNardo said.

"Tom Foley is against the minimum wage, against common sense gun control, and he supported the tea party-led government shutdown that cost Connecticut residents a lot of jobs," she said. "He's wrong on the issues, he's wrong for Connecticut."

Adopting what's expected to be the GOP fall mantra, Foley hammered Malloy for the largest tax increase in state history and record-setting spending, vowing to reverse both trends.

"Voters who believe we are not heading in the right direction and want a governor who fights for working citizens and who is straightforward and believes government can serve the people better will vote for me," Foley said.

Meanwhile, Boughton welcomed Foley to the race while drawing a distinction between himself and the newly minted candidate.

"The contrast cannot be more clear between myself, a blue-collar Republican, and Foley. I think it's clear who the real blue-collar Republican is and that our life experiences are very different," Boughton said.

McKinney said he's not surprised Foley, a former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, is running again.

"I look forward to a serious debate about how to turn Connecticut around and get our fiscal house in order," McKinney said, adding he has already offered a "specific plan to reduce spending and eliminate the Malloy tax increases."

"I will bring a responsible fiscal plan to voters across the state. It will be clear who the real fiscal conservative is. Flat spending without spending reductions will increase the deficit," McKinney said.

Foley said he would hold state spending flat for two years and cut the sales tax by one-half percent, which he estimated would cost $350 million during the first year. Savings from the spending freeze would cover that cost, he said.

Foley also pledged to reduce local property taxes, but did not explain how he would do that, given his intention to hold spending flat, a move that would appear to require reductions in aid to municipalities. He also didn't say how he would reduce local taxes other than offering a vague promise to change how schools are funded.

Foley shied away from the state's new gun control laws, saying he would take no action to repeal them. At the same time, however, Foley said legislation passed last year in response to the tragic Newtown shootings was "not a bill I would have signed."

"If the Legislature comes in with changes to reduce the burden on gun owners, I would look at it," Foley said.

Democratic Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary said he shakes his head every time he listens to Foley speak.

"I think his strategy is, he is going to try to make a stronger impact in the cities but the cuts he is talking about would hurt the cities. I would challenge him to be more specific," O'Leary said.

"We have an impressive field of candidates," Labriola said. "Each is committed to fixing Connecticut's economy and stands in stark contrast to the mismanagement by Dan Malloy and the Democrats."